Rosicrucian Society Of England.

ROSICRUCIAN SOCIETY OF ENGLAND .

EXHIBITION AND CONVERSAZIONE AT YORK . A REMARKABLE gathering of Freemasons took place at York on the evening of the 20 th ult . That day had been fixed for the annual obligatory meeting of the York College of Rosicrnoians , and some of its guiding spirits had conceived the happy idea of making the day of service not only to the members of the Society , but to Master Masons generally , and especially in the north of England .

To this end all kinds of Masonio curiosities had heen collected on loan from all parts of England , and had been arranged systematically in glass cases in the Masonio Hall of the York Lodge , No . 236 , which had been fraternally lent for the purpose , whilst a large number of cards of invitation had been sent out to Master Masons throughout the country . As we have previously explained this Society is in

reality a Masonio Archaeological Union , so that it was quite in accordance with the spirit of its working and the objects of its formation that it should come forward prominently as an Apostle of Masonio research . At any rate the intention of its members was honestly carried out , and it must have been exceedingly gratifying to those who successfully organised the gathering to note how

thoroughly their efforts were appreciated . The meeting of the College itself was held in the rooms of the Eboracum Lodge , No . 1611 , at 3 p . m ., at the Queen's Hotel , and there was the largest muster that has ever been seen . Those present were Fratres T . B . Whytehead Hon . IX . Chief Adept , J . S . Cumberland Hon . VIII . Suffragan , T . W . Holmes VI . Prov . Secretary , C . L . Mason V . Celebrant , J . L . Atberton I . as Deputy , T . J . Wilkinson VI . Sec ,

J . Todd IV . P . A ., J . M . Meek IV . S . A .. W . Brown I . as T . A ., T . N Barron III . as Q . A ., Tudor Trevor II . C . of N ., S . Middleton III . T Bearer , J . J . Wilkes II . Herald , H . Maddison II . G . P ., S . Wilsin II Med ., Hon . W . T . Orde-Powlett V ., J . Monckman , C . H . Drury , R

Craig , W . T . Tomlinson , 0 . Palliser , G . Ayre , C . S . Lane , B . L . Mills , A . H . H . McGachen , F . Waddington , J . Monks , G . Simpson , and W . B . Dyson . The roll of members , numbering nearly 70 , was called and satisfactory apologies were read from the absentees , with very few ex . ceptions . A successful ballot was taken for Bros . Fisher P . M .

1248 Scarborough , and Lockin W . M . 910 Pontefraot , nnd these two brethren , with Bro . W . H . Cowper Middlesborougb , who had been previously balloted for , were admitted to the grade of Zelator . Fra . J . M . Meek Middlesborougb was elected to the office of Celebrant for the ensuing year , and was inducted into his ohair by Fra . C . L . Mason Leeds , the outgoing Celebrant . Fra . J . S . Cumberland was

re-elected Treasnrer . The Treasurer ' a account was audited and showed a most satisfactory balance . The Chief Adept gave hia annual address , whioh , he said , was necessarily very brief , in consequence of the amount of business to be done before the conversezione in the evening . He alluded to the objects of the society , pointed out to the members how these objects might be advanced ,

congratulated them upon the present position of the College , and said that he had no doubt the proceedings of the evening would prove that their organisation was no mere idle whim , but was the outcome of a real determination to be of practical service to the Craft at large . On the motion of Fra . Cnmberland a gninea was voted to the Hughan Testimonial Fund . It was arranged that the next meeting of the College should take place at Darlington , on Wednesday , 21 st Mav .

Votes of thanks were then accorded to the W . M . and brethren of the Eboracum Lodge for the use of their rooms and furniture , and to the W . M . and brethren of the York Lodge , No . 236 , for the use of their Masonio Hall , in which the conversazione in the evening was arranged to be held . Votes of thanks were also passed to the exhibitors of curiosities . Bros . V . Vowler P . M . 643 Filey , and W . B . Williamson W . M . 539 Worcester , were proposed as candidates for the society , and tbe M . C . was then dissolved .

At five o ' clock the fratres dined together at the Qneen ' s Hotel , and at 6 ' 30 they adjourned to the Masonio Hall , Duncombe-street , where the exhibits were arranged . At seven o'clock , the rooms being pretty well filled , Fra . T . B . Whytehead , in the name of the Rosicrncian Province of Yorkshire , welcomed the Visitors , and expressed the pleasure it afforded to members of the Order to see so many brethren

who took an interest in the past history of Freemasonry . He explained the aims of the society , and then called on Bro . the Dean of York P . G . C , who was present , to make a few observations . Thia the Dean did in his invariably happy style . Referring to the beanty and value of the specimens of antiquity that surrounded them , he said it must impress their minds in an extraordinary degree with the high

antiquity , as well as the cosmopolitan nature of tbe Order . He spoke of the advantages that arose from the association of man with man within the portals of a Masonic Lodge , and said that suoh an exhibition as that whioh was before them was calculated to do much to advance the intelligent comprehension of the true objects of Freemasonry , and that they all owed much to the brethren whose zeal and

assiduity had collected so many objects of value , concluding by speak , ing of his own real love for Masonry , his belief in its usefulness and in its future , his anxiety for its welfare , and his firm belief that one of the most useful and appropriate places for a minister of reli gion to be found was the floor of a Freemason ' s Lodge . The company then spent the rest of the evening in the examination

of the exhibits , the great number of which may be judged when we state that their enumeration filled 24 pages of a quarto catalogue , neatly printed . To even mention them would be to occupy far ° too much of our space , but we may at any rate give the names of the exhibitors and a general description of tbe collection . Of course the piice de resistance was made up of tbe unique collection of

parchment and paper rolls of Constitutions , old minute books , tools , furniture , & c ., of the Grand Lodge of All England at York . These were laid out under sheets of glass and occupied a large table at the top of the hall , and were exhibited by the York Lodge , No . 236 , the careful custodian of these priceless relics . The Eboracum Lodge , No . 1611 , whioh though very young has already accumulated a

Rosicrucian Society Of England.

valuable collection , showed its noble old Dutch Masonic flagon , dated lR 9 t , many valuable engravings , and the Bible of the Grand Lodge of All England . The 5 th Dragoon Guards Lodge furnished its warrant granted to the " Second Regiment of Horse" iu 1776 , aud a splendid set of silver working tools . Ancient Ebor Preceptory displayed its Banner and Sword presented by Mary

Commandery in 1878 . Brother W . J . Hughan P . G . D ., the well known Masonio anthor , had forwarded an interesting series of photographs of old minntes , specimens of engraved plates of Lodges and early calendars , with coins and medals . Brother J . Newton , of Bolton , had a very interesting case of Masonic medals , some very rare , including a onrions series of halfpenny tokens . Brother M . C . Peck Provincial

Grand Secretary of North and East Yorkshire had quite a library of Masonio books , embracing some of the rarest known , specimens of certificates and obsolete clothing , and some good Masonio medals . Brother J . R . Riley , of Bradford , exhibited a series of very valuable warrants and certificates , amongst them a warrant issued by the Prov . Grand Master of Yorkshire in 1778 to form a Lodge at Don .

caster . Bro . J . H . Neilson , of Dublin , sent a valuable series of Irish certificates and a Knight Templar warrant of 1807 . Bro . T . W . Tew D . P . G . M . West Yorkshire showed a brass seal , supposed to have been that of the Preceptory at Temple Hirst . Bro . J . H . Atherton , of Bradford , brought over some beautifnl specimens of glass and china , cnt and painted with Masonio emblems , as well as curious

books . Bro . C . Williams , of Birmingham , had a small but interesting collection of Masonio medils , Ac . Bro J . 0 . Robinson , of Chester , exhibited the minute book of the Old Royal Lodge at Chester , tho warrant of the Star Lodge at Chester , dated 1766 , and specimens of antique glasses , & c . The venerable Brother J . 0 . Taylor , of Bradford , lent the minute book of the extinct Plans of Mamre Preceptory

Brother E . C . Patohett , of Nottingham ; Brother G . C . Caster , of Peterborough ; Brother Marshall , of Malton ; Brother W . F . Smithson , of Leeds ; and Bros . G . H . Hackers and R . H . Peacock , of Scarborough all had contributed articles of value and interest . Brother Middleton , of Scarborough , had a very ancient oil painting of Godfrey de Bouillon . Brother E . 0 . Wragg , of Nottingham , had a

beautiful collection of old certificates and an ancient Preceptory seal . Brother J . H . Silh ' toe , of Manchester , showed some singular old clothing and valuable MS . rolls , the property of the Colne Lodge and Chapter , No . 116 . The Rev . A . F . A . Woodford P . G . C . showed a series of valuable Rosicrncian works . The St . Germain's Lodge sent some of the old furniture of the extinct Mariners Lodge once

held at Selby . Bro . M . W . Clarke , of Hull , had a large case of Masonic jewels . Brother J . S . Cumberland displayed his large collection of antique Masonic jewels , amongst which there were somo rare and very beautiful specimens , ' the collection numbering over forty examples . In addition to these he showed a number of Masonio books and engravings . Bro . T . B . Whyte .

head had also sent from his collection a number of rare books , jewels , engravings , and other curiosities . From this brief description it will easily be seen how much of value and interest had been collected . The only regret on the part of the guests seemed to be that the exhition could not be kept open the next day in order that a more detailed examination mighthavebeen made than was possible during the

evening . The Rosicrnoians had provided light refreshments for their visitors in the shape of tea and coffee , & c , and in order to enliven the evening had arranged for tbe performance of songs and music , amongst the vocalists boing Bros . Blagbro' ( Bradford ) , J . S . Cumberland , J . Todd . J . E . Wilkinson , J . L . Atherton , J . Wilsin , and others , whilst Bros . C . G . Padel and W . S . Child accompanied ou the pianoforte .

At the Masonic Hall , on Thursday , the 21 st ultimo , Bro . J . D . Yarford was duly installed Worshipful Master of the Southampton Lodge , No . 394 , in succession to Bro H . Lashmore . There was a large representative assembly of Freemasons on the occasion , all of whom joined in a cordial vote of congratulation to the new Master upon his well deserved elevation .

Bro . G . W . Moore , of the Moore and Burgess Minstrels , announces his annual benefit for the 13 fch of March , when day and afternoon performances will be given at St . James's Hall , Piccadilly . As on former occasions , the elite of the musical and theatrical professions will give their services to this old favourite of the public .

The Portsmouth Freemasons' Club propose to give their annual Masonic Ball on Thursday , the 24 th April , at the Southsea Assembly Rooms , in aid of the Royal Masonic Institution for Aged Freemasons and the Widows of Freemasons , when we donbt not but that a considerable and influential gathering may be expected in support

of so excellent an institntion . This makes the fifth annual ball , and on each occasion these Charities have been benefited , and it may now bo considered one of the most pleasant annual re-unions of the members of the Craft and their friends in Portsmouth . —Portsmouth Times .

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FIRE AT FREEMASONS' HALL ! LARGE p hotographs of the Temple , taken immediatel y after the fire , on 1 th May ( suitable for framing ) , 5 s each ; or framed in oal :, securely packed , sent to any address in tho United Kingdom , carriage paid , on receipt of cheque for 15 a . Masters of Lodges should secure this memorial of ' tte old Temple for then- Lodge rooms . W . G . FARKUR , Photographer , 40 High Holborn , W . C . Established 25 yent * .